The Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening and dedication of their chapel in Lincoln Sept. 23.
The sisters, commonly referred to as the “Pink Sisters,” in reference to their rose-colored habits, were invited to the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln in 1973 by Bishop Glennon Flavin. Bishop Flavin was familiar with the order from his time spent as the auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis before being named Bishop of Lincoln.
Bishop Flavin offered his residence to the sisters. The Adoration Convent of Christ the King, located at 1040 S. Cotner Blvd. in the heart of Lincoln, is still home to these beloved sisters.
As their name implies, theirs is a congregation consecrated to the Holy Spirit. They are a cloistered-contemplative missionary congregation whose members are entirely dedicated to the contemplative life and the service of perpetual adoration. Since the convent in Lincoln can only accommodate a limited number of sisters, lay adorers help maintain the apostolate of perpetual adoration during the day and early evening hours.
The congregation was founded in the Netherlands in 1896 by St. Arnold Janssen. Mother Mary Michael was the co-foundress and its first superior general. She began the international character of the congregation by opening chapels of perpetual adoration in the United States, Germany, China and the Philippines. The cause of her beautification was formally opened in 2015.
Presently, there are 21 convents around the world: four in the United States, five in Europe, six in the Philippines, three in South America and one convent in India, Indonesia and in Africa. The other convents in the United States are in Philadelphia, St. Louis and Corpus Christi. The superiors from these three convents were special guests for the 50th anniversary celebration.
Planning for the festivities began in the spring. Assisted by the Pink Sisters Auxiliary Board, a lay group of women who help assist the sisters in various tasks, a grounds renovation was undertaken. Spearheaded by auxiliary board member Jennifer Klein of St. Michael Parish in Lincoln, numerous local businesses donated time and materials to beautify the outdoor spaces.
Leading up to the anniversary and beginning Sept. 14, a novena of thanksgiving Masses were celebrated. A special brochure and prayer card were created, along with a video presentation.
The Aurora Room, a meeting space near the chapel, was open during the morning hours throughout the novena for visitors to view the video as well as other pictures and documents.
The highlight of the 50th anniversary was the celebration of the Mass in the chapel. Bishop James Conley and Bishop Emeritus Fabian Bruskewitz concelebrated, joined by numerous other priests. Extra seating was added in the chapel to accommodate the laity, along with special guests including several of the sisters’ family members. Overflow seating was offered in the vestibule area with a live stream video of the Mass.
After the Mass, visitors were presented with a gift bags of goodies and were invited to greet the sisters in the Aurora Room. The sisters also opened their beautiful private gardens for public viewing.
All are welcome and encouraged to visit the chapel. It is open from Monday to Saturday 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 7 a.m. while daily night prayer with Benediction is at 8 p.m. There is also a first Friday holy hour at 7:15 p.m. each month.
When visiting, the sisters invite you to spend a little time in the bookstore, located in the vestibule area, and to leave your prayer intentions. A special bonus of visiting this year is that it is one of the stops on the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln’s Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage.
The sisters give glory, praise, adoration and thanksgiving to the triune God for abiding in their midst in the Eucharistic shrine of Christ the King for the past 50 years. They extend their deepest gratitude to their adorers, benefactors and friends for their kindness and generosity to their Community. Join them and come adore Him!
Contributed by Joan Tasler, a member of the Pink Sisters Auxiliary Board
Photos courtesy Bob Ruyle
